GH2 official discussion thread

[Vitaliy Kiselev]

If you don't want to read many numbers and words here is my short verdict (for today) :
It is best movie VDSLR, period. If you are shooting using small cameras, go and buy it as soon as possible.
Having some quirks it is definitely very good product.


Remember to donate for GH1/GH2 hacking project HERE. Thanks to all guys!

Please post all software only improvements you want to see on GH2 in this thread
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread...rovements-list
Panasonic engineers will get your info.


So, here are main features:
HDMI output during framing and during recording

Digital Zoom is independent function from EX. OPTICAL ZOOM
Ex. Tele Conv is indeed 1:1 mode. It is HUGE! 2.6x in FHD and 3.9x in other modes.
Audio level meters are present on screen during recording (but Q-menu must be used to see them). We have at least 0(OFF),1,2, and 3(100%) microphone level settings.
We record highlights similar to ZEBRA (look at highlighted menu item).
Variable framerate is available (80%,160%,200%,300%)
Shooting still during video (with very small video freeze).
Touch focus.
40fps mode using electronic shutter mode (4Mp) (No one dreaming of 24 and 30fps and 4Mp MJPEG video ?)

Info about GH2 video encoder.

I got some raw GH2 footage from undisclosed source. Fully trusted.
1) GH2 has improved codec.
2) B frames are present (so, 2 reframes now).
Stream structure as in camcorder.
3) CABAC is absent (about 10-15% less efficiency than camcorders)

Interlaced footage has declared 16Mbit video bitrate (same as GH1), video is not detailed, but average bitrate is 16Mbit. So, seems that quality estimator is also improved.

24Mbit native stream structure (declared video bitrate about 21.7Mbit, average about the same, maximum - 25Mbit)




Recording modes

AVCHD
24H - 1920x1080 24p 24Mbps; 24L - 1920x1080 24p 17Mbps
FSH - 1920x1080 60i 17Mbps (sensor output is 60p) FH - 1920x1080 60i 13Mbps (sensor output is 60p)
SH - 1280x720 60p 17Mbps H - 1280x720 60p 13Mbps
MJPEG
HD - 1280x720 30p WVGA - 848×480 VGA - 640×480 QVGA - 320×240

Links

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/panasonicdmcgh2/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8k0SuWCY4a0 - Video presentation


Report from PHOTOKINA directly by AKED (big thanks to him!)

Sound level control:
Manual control possible before recording in 3 or 4 steps. < too few steps
No change of the levels during filming possible. <-- Panasonic, fix this in next firmware!
You can watch the sound meters on the screen during the filming though.

Audio in:
Only mic in. You can't switch it to line in. <-- also possible fix. But hardware can be limit here.

Earphone jack:
There is no earphone jack at the GH2.
Sound goes over HDMI during recording. - good.

HDMI out:
I was told, that HDMI out is the full quality with no dropped frames, no darker image or anything.
According to them the HDMI output is depends on your HD selection for filming.
If you select 24p, HDMI out is 24p. If you select 720/50p it is 50p and if you select 1080/50i, it is 50i. <-- must be checked!

NOBODY could tell me, if the color sampling is 4:2:2: or 4:2:0. <-- must be 4:2:2
When you record with HDMI out, the LCD screen still has a picture. <-- perfect
You can have the menus on HDMI out but you can also switch them off.

Firmware (3D):
The GH2 will come with 3D firmware. If firmware is coming as an update, nobody could tell.

Low light banding:
Fixed pattern noise seems to be gone.
I made some very dark pictures with 12800 ISO and 4000 shutter and of course there was noise then, but I compared it to my GH13 that I had with me and I could NOT see the fixed pattern noise that I saw I the GH13.
I am not sure how far you can use the ISO. But the noise looked very good and very low.

PAL Version in 1080 24 or 25 frames
Sorry, no 25fps possible or planned right now. Only true 24fps, which was requested when there were wishes for a GH2. I never saw a request for 25fps..


Follow focus also in video mode via touchscreen:
Well, did not work in most models and nobody could make it work . But in the end I did find 2 models where it worked and it looked good to me. The GH2s on the Photokina were of course all pre series models and not all of them had all features working already. The product managers said, that this will definitively be working in the final GH2.

Tele Crop variability:
No, tele crop is fixed. < as expected

40 FPS Burst:
Well, good news: The LCD screen is NOT black during the 40 fps burst. You can see it happen. Works for 1 second only.

NTSC and PAL:
There will still be 2 models, one PAL and one NTSC.

29:59 limit:
The 29:59 limit for PAL models will still be there.

Low Light:
There is no mentioning of the minimum lux needed by the GH2.

Recording, the picture:
The picture look like 3d. Very clear with very little to no noise as far as I could see.

Aliasing, I did not see any during test filming. I filmed check shirts and horizontal lines and they looked good.
Skew, Rolling Shutter is present, when you pan the GH2 heavily, but I think less than in the GH1.
Flashlight: yes, the CMOS problem with flash is still there. A flash in the video was when I filmed about 1/4th of a picture.

Mud: I could not see any, but there was not enough detailed scenery to find out for sure.

ISO during Video:
The max ISO during video was 3200.

Manual focus mode:
No focus assist during recording. <-- buy LCD :-)
But you can see focus position in manual focus mode now.
They have a line from wide on the left side top tele on the right and you can see, where you are in manual focussing.

Slowmo and time laps:
slowmo (80%) and time laps (200% and 300 %) are recorded.
But they work in cinema 24fps only.

[Vitaliy Kiselev]

Official things

Manual for GH2 PAL English - http://dlc.panasonic-europe-service....model=DMCGH2EB
Japanese press release - http://www.scribd.com/doc/37835763/Panasonic-Lumix-GH2

Previews



Other links

[AdrianF]

Thank you very much!

IMPORTANT NOTICE: No media files are hosted on these forums. By clicking the link below you agree to view content from an external website. We can not be held responsible for the suitability or legality of this material. If the video does not play, wait a minute or try again later.

I AGREE

[Picturequest]

I'm excited. I have been waiting for this. now for the experts to evaluate the specs. This could be amazing with 3 cores. and if we are not locked out of the firmware and get the bitrate up there. Variable frame rate sounds interesting.

[AdrianF]

Looks like they were all on the beer and schnapps last night. No news yet from Photokina, but I guess doors have just opened.
I guess we'll know more about the framerates and HDMI later on. On the surface this looks like a really nice upgrade so far.

[Picturequest]

"FSH - 1920x1080 60i 17Mbps (sensor output is 60p)" So it is 60P in a 60i wrapper?

And when it says variable speed 300% is that 180fps or 20fps if the base speed is 60i?

Also, important to me, is HDMI full res, and live during recording?

[Lpowell]

I wonder how long the electronic shutter can shoot at 40fps?

[AdrianF]

HDMI out working, but dark or degraded during recording -> WORKING

Cool!

[Vitaliy Kiselev]

Cool!

Please, note that this is my understanding of Google gibberish english.
It tell you that you can connect monitor and use it and, also can view footage and pictures made before.
This is my current understanding.

[Vitaliy Kiselev]

I wonder how long the electronic shutter can shoot at 40fps?

As far as I got it 5fps and 40fps make LV almost useless. Ala Sony.